square

square

2. Something having an equal-sided rectangular form: a square of cloth.

3. A T-shaped or L-shaped instrument for drawing or testing right angles.

4. Mathematics The product obtained when a number or quantity is multiplied by itself: 49 is the square of 7.

5. Games Any of the quadrilateral spaces on a board, as in chess.

6.

a. Abbr. Sq. An open, usually four-sided area at the intersection of two or more streets, often planted with grass and trees for use as a park.

b. A rectangular space enclosed by streets and occupied by buildings; a block.

7. The flower bud of a cotton plant, with three bracts surrounding the unopened flower in a pyramidal structure.

8. Slang A person who is regarded as dull, rigidly conventional, and out of touch with current trends.

adj.squar·er, squar·est

1. Having four equal sides and four right angles.

2. Forming a right angle.

3. In alignment or flush: Put the paper square with the edge of the desk.

4.

a. Abbr. sq. Expressed in units measuring area: square feet.

b. Having a specified length in each of two equal dimensions: a room that is 12 feet square.

5. Having a base that is a square: a square pyramid.

6. Nautical Set at right angles to the mast and keel. Used of the yards of a square-rigged ship.

7. Approximately rectangular and equilateral in cross section: a square house.

8. Characterized by blocklike solidity or sturdiness.

9. Honest; direct: a square answer.

10. Just; equitable: a square deal.

11. Having all accounts settled; even: I paid what I owed you, so we're square.

12. Sports Even; tied.

13. Slang Rigidly conventional; dull.

v.squared, squar·ing, squares

v.tr.

1. To cut to a square or rectangular shape. Often used with off.

2. To test or adjust for conformity to a desired plane, straight line, or right angle.

3. To mark into squares. Often used with off.

4.

a. To bring into conformity or agreement: She could not square the request with her principles.

b. To bring (oneself) into a better position or relation: He tried to square himself with his parents.

5. To set straight or at approximate right angles: square one's cap.

6. To bring into balance; settle: square a debt.

7. Sports To even the score of: to square a game.

8. Mathematics

a. To raise (a number or quantity) to the second power.

b. To find a square equal in area to (the area of a given figure).

9. Informal To bribe or fix: a party in litigation that tried to square the judge.

v.intr.

1. Mathematics To be at right angles.

2. To agree or conform: a story that doesn't square with the facts.

adv.

1. Mathematics At right angles.

2. In a square shape.

3. In a solid manner; firmly.

4. Directly; straight: ran square into each other.

5. In an honest, straightforward manner.

Phrasal Verbs:

square away

1. Nautical To square the yards of a sailing vessel.

2. To put away or in order.

square off

To assume a fighting stance; prepare to fight.

square up

To settle a bill or debt.

Idioms:

on the square

1. Mathematics At right angles.

2. Honestly and openly: has always dealt on the square.

out of square

1. Mathematics Not at exact right angles.

2. Not in agreement.

square peg in a round holeInformal

A misfit.

three squares a dayInformal

Three square meals eaten in a day.

[Middle English, from Old French esquarre, from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, from *exquadrāre, to square : Latin ex-, ex- + quadrāre, to give a square shape to (from quadrum, a square; see kwetwer- in Indo-European roots).]

square′ness n.

squar′er n.

square

(skwɛə)

n

1. (Mathematics) a plane geometric figure having four equal sides and four right angles. Compare rectangle, rhombus

2. any object, part, or arrangement having this or a similar shape: a square of carpet; a square on a chessboard.

3. (Human Geography) (capital when part of name) an open area in a town, sometimes including the surrounding buildings, which may form a square

4. (Mathematics) maths the product of two equal factors; the second power: 9 is the square of 3, written 32.

5. (Tools) an instrument having two strips of wood, metal, etc, set in the shape of a T or L, used for constructing or testing right angles

6. (Cricket) cricket the closely-cut area in the middle of a ground on which wickets are prepared

7. (Military) a body of soldiers drawn up in the form of a square

8. (Rowing) rowing the position of the blade of an oar perpendicular to the surface of the water just before and during a stroke

9. informal a person who is old-fashioned in views, customs, appearance, etc

correspond, gibe, jibe, match, tally, agree, fit, check - be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics; "The two stories don't agree in many details"; "The handwriting checks with the signature on the check"; "The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun"

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